Row-insensitive feeding and picking device for an agricultural header

Abstract

A feeding and picking device having a rotating feeding device that is rotated about a vertical axis. The device is able to work in fields not planted in rows and is designed to grasp plant stalks and feed them into a picking device. The picking device comprises a snapping channel formed by snapping bars under which is located at least one snapping roll. The feeding device comprises a disc having fingers that overlap the snapping channel. The feeding device is therefore designed to transport the plant throughout the effective length of the picking device.

1. A feeding and picking device for feeding and picking a standing agricultural crop wherein individual plants in the crop are provided with plant stalks, the feeding and picking device comprising a picking device and a rotating feeding element that is rotated in a circle about a vertical axis and comprises a body with outwardly extending fingers, the rotating feeding element grasps plant stalks and directs the plant stalks to the picking device which separates useable parts from plant stalks, the picking device having an effective length, wherein rotating feeding element is designed to transport the plant throughout the effective length of the picking device and further wherein the picking device is provided with an inlet, the inlet being located in front of the vertical axis of the feeding element. 
     
     
       2. A feeding and picking device as defined by  claim 1  wherein the picking device is provided with a snapping channel, the feeding element covers the snapping channel. 
     
     
       3. A feeding and picking device as defined by  claim 2  wherein gaps are formed between the outwardly extending fingers, plant stalks are captured in the gaps, the gaps are sufficiently deep to ensure that they pass over the snapping channel of the picking device. 
     
     
       4. A feeding and picking device as defined by  claim 3  wherein the feeding and picking device is provided with two rotating feeding elements, an upper feeding element and a lower feeding element, the upper feeding element has a direction of rotation, the upper feeding element is provided with outwardly extending fingers that are curved away from the direction of rotation. 
     
     
       5. A feeding and picking device as defined by  claim 4  wherein the lower feeding element is located beneath the upper feeding element. 
     
     
       6. A feeding and picking device as defined by  claim 5  wherein the lower feeding element has a direction of rotation that is identical to the direction of rotation of the upper feeding element. 
     
     
       7. The crop harvesting machine of  claim 1 , wherein the picking device comprises two stalk rolls having forward ends, and further wherein the axis is located behind and to the side of the two forward stalk roll ends. 
     
     
       8. A feeding and picking device for feeding and picking a standing agricultural crop wherein individual plants in the crop are provided with plant stalks, the feeding and picking device comprising a picking device and a rotating feeding element that is rotated in a circle about a vertical axis and comprises a body with outwardly extending fingers, the rotating feeding element grasps plant stalks and directs the plant stalks to the picking device which separates useable parts from plant stalks, wherein the feeding element is designed to support the plant stalk while it is being processed by the picking device, and further wherein the picking device is provided with an inlet, the inlet being located in front of the vertical axis of the feeding element. 
     
     
       9. The crop harvesting machine of  claim 8 , wherein the picking device comprises two stalk rolls having forward ends, and further wherein the axis is located behind and to the side of the two forward stalk roll ends. 
     
     
       10. A feeding and picking device for feeding and picking a standing agricultural crop wherein individual plants in the crop are provided with plant stalks, the feeding and picking device comprising a rotating feeding element that is rotated in a circle about a vertical axis and comprises a body with outwardly extending fingers, the rotating feeding element grasps plant stalks and directs the plant stalks to a picking device which separates useable parts from plant stalks, the picking device having an effective length, wherein the rotating feeding element is designed to transport the plant throughout the effective length of the picking device, wherein the picking device is provided with a snapping channel, the feeding element covers the snapping channel, wherein gaps are formed between the outwardly extending fingers, plant stalks are captured in the gaps, the gaps are sufficiently deep to ensure that they pass over the snapping channel of the picking device, wherein the feeding and picking device is provided with two rotating feeding elements, an upper feeding element and a lower feeding element, the upper feeding element has a direction of rotation, the upper feeding element is provided with outwardly extending fingers that are curved away from the direction of rotation, wherein the lower feeding element is located beneath the upper feeding element, wherein the lower feeding element has a direction of rotation that is identical to the direction of rotation of the upper feeding element, and wherein the lower feeding element is provided with outwardly extending fingers that are curved towards the direction of rotation. 
     
     
       11. A feeding and picking device as defined by  claim 10  wherein the picking device is mounted on the side of the feeding element. 
     
     
       12. A feeding and picking device as defined by  claim 11  wherein the picking device is provided with an inlet, the inlet being located in front of the vertical axis of the feeding element. 
     
     
       13. A feeding and picking device as defined by  claim 12  wherein the lower feeding element has a lower element diameter and the upper feeding element has an upper element diameter, the lower element diameter is smaller than the upper element diameter. 
     
     
       14. A feeding and picking device as defined by  claim 12  wherein the lower feeding element has a lower element diameter and the upper feeding element has an upper element diameter, the lower element diameter is equal to the upper element diameter. 
     
     
       15. A feeding and picking device as defined by  claim 12  wherein the lower feeding element is provided with a lower vertical axis and the upper feeding element is provided with an upper vertical axis, the lower vertical axis and the upper vertical axis are coaxial. 
     
     
       16. A feeding and picking device as defined by  claim 12  wherein the upper feeding element has the same number of fingers as the lower feeding element. 
     
     
       17. A feeding and picking device as defined by  claim 12  wherein the picking device further comprises a snapping bar and at least one snapping roll, the at least one snapping roll extends parallel to the snapping channel and is mounted under said snapping bar. 
     
     
       18. The feeding and picking device as defined by  claim 17  wherein said feeding and picking device has a direction of travel, the snapping channel extends parallel to the direction of travel. 
     
     
       19. The feeding and picking device as defined by  claim 17  wherein said feeding and picking device has a direction of travel, the snapping channel extends at an angle to the direction of travel. 
     
     
       20. A crop harvesting machine having at least two feeding and picking devices, wherein each feeding and picking device feeds and picks a standing agricultural crop wherein individual plants in the crop are provided with plant stalks, the feeding and picking device comprising a rotating feeding element that is rotated in a circle about a vertical axis and comprises a body with outwardly extending fingers, the rotating feeding element grasps plant stalks and directs the plant stalks to the picking device which separates useable parts from plant stalks, the picking device having an effective length, wherein the rotating feeding element is designed to transport the plant throughout the effective length of the picking device and further wherein the picking device is provided with an inlet, the inlet being located in front of the vertical axis of the feeding element. 
     
     
       21. A crop harvesting machine as defined by  claim 20  having a symmetrical line, feeding and picking devices are symmetrically arranged with respect to each other about the symmetrical line. 
     
     
       22. The crop harvesting machine of  claim 20 , wherein the picking device comprises two stalk rolls having forward ends, and further wherein the axis is located behind and to the side of the two forward stalk roll ends.